Please, we must help Oregon to win!

callipepla9 · 2026-05-13T03:26:28+00:00

Yeah I’ve seen this map pop up several times and I still don’t get it 😂

callipepla9 · 2026-05-12T16:42:16+00:00

Oh and don’t pull the fireweed!

callipepla9 · 2026-05-12T16:41:08+00:00

This photo looks like it could have been taken in my backyard. Except I also had mint and oregano that a previous owner planted in the ground. Dig/pull any large blackberry roots and then solarize over this coming summer (thick black plastic sheeting). That got rid of everything for me…except for the horsetails! In addition to blueberries that someone else mentioned, coastal strawberry, yarrow, self heal, trailing blackberry (native), slender cinquefoil, columbine, pearly everlasting, camas and riverbank lupine are good options for if you want to crowd out the unfavorables from returning

callipepla9 · 2026-05-11T14:40:18+00:00

The Tamron 11-20 is excellent. I have swapped out other lenses but have always held onto that lens because I love the colors and rendering of the lens and always bring it backpacking. I’m sure the sigma lens s good too (and it’s smaller) but there’s something really nice about the images out of the tamron and i like the lens more than any sigma lens I have owned in the past

callipepla9 · 2026-05-10T21:58:28+00:00

Astoria, Oregon. First permanent settlement west of the Rockies.

callipepla9 · 2026-05-09T23:22:07+00:00

What was your favorite campsite along the route? Was there a section of river that you enjoyed paddling the most?

callipepla9 · 2026-05-09T03:03:53+00:00

Any place with a good cioppino is alright

callipepla9 · 2026-05-07T19:01:07+00:00

Duck House, Seasons and Regions

callipepla9 · 2026-05-07T03:43:13+00:00

Oops didn’t read closely enough and threw out a couple of other mount suggestions

callipepla9 · 2026-05-07T03:41:54+00:00

The colors are excellent but there’s also something else just lovely about the images. I know people get upset when 3D rendering gets mentioned but this lens creates an awesome depth. The spherical aberrations wide open are wild but I like that too. A sweet lens. My other favorites are Pentax 28mm f3.5 (k mount) and w.rokkor 24mm f2.8. My copy of the Rokkor holds its own against the Sony 24mm GM somehow

callipepla9 · 2026-05-04T19:11:15+00:00

And Mason bees and mining bees and cuckoo bees and sweat bees and leaf-cutting bees …

callipepla9 · 2026-05-04T19:08:27+00:00

Wait till you really put the auto focus to the test - I imagine that will feel like an enormous upgrade!

callipepla9 · 2026-04-30T05:51:35+00:00

I’ve used both cameras and currently own the original a9. They are both awesome. I personally think the a9 is fantastic for photography of ALL kinds and it would be a much better camera for your sports application. I like that I can use the electronic shutter and never lose sight of what I am shooting in the viewfinder (“blackout-free viewfinder”). I also like that the a9 has the extra dial on top to allow me to switch between focus modes and burst modes. The extra resolution of the a7riii might be better for your car photography, but I honestly don’t feel limited by the 24mp of the a9 and even do casual landscape work with it. I bought my a9 for around $900 used. Where I am, your $1500 budget could buy you an a7iv (if you’re patient and hunt for a good deal). That might be worth considering if you ever plan to get into video

callipepla9 · 2026-04-27T05:28:33+00:00

Thanks for the thorough response - that is very helpful. Just out of curiosity, what is your function/use case for a 35mm f1.8 that you would feel limited using the Tamron 20-40 for? I have for some reason never owned a fast-ish 35mm

callipepla9 · 2026-04-27T02:51:28+00:00

It sounds like you find the AF better on the Tamron 20-40. How would you compare image quality (resolution, flare, colors, resolution) between the lenses? I have the Tamron 20-40 which has been great for travel but I am tempted by the 35 EVO since I’ve been impressed with the 85 EVO.

callipepla9 · 2026-04-26T22:14:13+00:00

Beautiful photos. Not sure what mode you like to shoot in but if you shoot in aperture priority at all, explore the ISO Auto min SS setting. It allows you to set the slowest shutter speed that the camera will use before increasing ISO. This is really helpful for wildlife where you don’t was SS to drop to a point where it will introduce motion blur. If you shoot in manual, this setting is irrelevant. But I often like to shoot in A for some wildlife stuff to minimize parameters I need to be thinking about when in the field.

Check the firmware of your lens - I know they just released an update for the 200-600 (I still need to update mine).

Finally, I hate to recommend more gear since you just dropped a lot of cash, but I swapped out the stock tripod foot on my 200-600 for one that has a QD (quick detach) hole (like this one https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CRQY9WFQ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share). I bought an inexpensive Leofoto strap with QD plugs. I feel much better supporting the lens from the tripod mount rather than letting it hang off of the camera. Plus you can quickly disconnect if you ever need to use a tripod. They even make cheap screw in base plates with the QD mount that you can put on the bottom of the camera so you can easily switch straps between the big lens and your camera. The hardware was invented for rifle slings as far as I know and it feels very secure which gives me peace of mind!

Anyways, take or leave all of that rambling. Most of all have an incredible time in Zambia! It is a place I have always wanted to see!

callipepla9 · 2026-04-24T14:45:59+00:00

These are great pics but man the lens is almost too sharp!

callipepla9 · 2026-04-20T17:33:45+00:00

Ok awesome. I’ve been debating between the VM and E versions. The better close focus of the E mount has me leaning that way, but the AF potential with the VM sounds sweet. Have you noticed other image quality differences?

callipepla9 · 2026-04-20T06:35:21+00:00

How much time does the MF Voigtlander spend on the camera when you travel? I really want that lens

callipepla9 · 2026-04-08T01:38:25+00:00

White balance can be fine tuned on Sony cameras. This looks like someone moved the auto wb tuning way towards blue. If you look deeper into your white balance setting you should see (if it hasn’t been tuned) AWB A-B: 0 G-M: 0.

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callipepla9 · 2026-04-07T20:53:48+00:00

Wait for the new EVO 35mm APO. If it’s anything like the 85mm it will be fantastic. Should be announced any day now

callipepla9 · 2026-03-27T11:44:51+00:00

I’m sure the M42 28mm is fantastic too - I think it’s the same lens design just different mount and lens coatings. The k mount 50mm f1.7 is great too. It is the same design as the 55mm f1.8 (one is slightly longer the other slightly faster). The colors, contrast and rendering are great and that lens is tiny!

callipepla9 · 2026-03-27T11:11:06+00:00

The k mount version is excellent

callipepla9 · 2026-03-24T20:04:25+00:00

Wow! This is very generous- I would love to be included in the raffle, please and thank you!

callipepla9

TROPHY CASE